The City of Seattle is building a modern streetcar system that will provide new urban mobility options, support economic growth and strengthen connections among the places where people live, work and socialize. With funding from Sound Transit, the City has completed the First Hill Streetcar segment of this system; operations will begin in 2015. Please click here for updates on the streetcar vehicles, testing and start-up.

The First Hill Streetcar will be an important link in the regional transit system, with connections to Link Light Rail at the Capitol Hill Station and International District Station, as well as Sounder Commuter Rail and Amtrak intercity rail at King Street Station.

There are 10 stops on the First Hill Streetcar line, connecting the diverse and vibrant residential neighborhoods and business districts of Capitol Hill, First Hill, Yesler Terrace, Central Area, Chinatown-International District and Pioneer Square, while also serving major medical centers (Swedish Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center), institutions of higher learning (Seattle Central College and Seattle University) and major sporting event venues (CenturyLink & Safeco Field).

There are opportunities to connect to the local bike network along the line, including Pronto Cycle Share stations, and the project includes a new protected bike lane on Broadway. Other innovative features of the First Hill Streetcar line include an Operations and Maintenance Facility that incorporates sustainable features and achieved LEEDS Gold certification, and modern streetcars with On-Board Energy Storage Systems that allow for off-wire operation and energy efficiency.